About The Sutlers Stores.

What we do:
Since 1998 we have been supplying authentic uniforms, accoutrements and weaponry to re-enactors and museums worldwide. In addition we regularly supply costume and props to film, theatre and television productions. Our specialist period is 1700 – 1950 and we are now based in Poole, Dorset. A brief history

Tailoring:
Our highly skilled tailors manufacture the finest quality replica military uniforms and civilian wear available today. Due to the vast range of uniforms that we offer, over 90% of our clothing orders are manufactured on a ‘bespoke’ basis, allowing you to choose the exact specification of uniform or civilian wear that you need.

All the clothing examples shown on the site are just that; ‘examples’ they are meant to be viewed as a guide to what is achievable, if you don’t see what you are looking for then please tell us what you would like and we will do our best to make it for you!

Accoutrements:
Our accoutrements are sourced from carefully chosen reliable manufacturers for their quality and authenticity. Our standard leather products for the American Civil War period are made as copies of the many original examples in our own collection. Our Western Period leather products are hand-made by our skilled craftsmen their reference point for our replica belts and holsters is that well known ‘bible’ of leatherwear of the American West; “Packing Iron” by Richard C. Rattenbury (available from Amazon.com)

Weaponry:
Weapons have been in the news a lot in recent years, The Sutlers Stores have liaised closely with the Police and Customs & Revenue to create a working system that allows us to continue supplying you with blank firing guns and other similar products. Although weapons can be viewed on the site they cannot be ordered on-line, you must call us and place your order over the telephone. Due to the recent changes in legislation some manufacturers have withdrawn various products from their ranges while others have stopped supplying the UK completely. A further consequence is that there can now be considerable delays in obtaining some blank firing guns due to the very small market that the UK represents for these manufacturers, who have to re-tool their machinery every time to produce the UK specification weapons. This situation is outside of our control and we do ask you to understand the difficulties involved. Details of recent legislation

Copyright Issues:
We would like to say a few words about copyright; over the years it has become a favourite ‘trick’ of rival manufacturers to copy (steal) photographs from our website in order to use them to enhance the image of their inferior product ranges. All the photography on our site is carried out in-house, in our own photo studio by Hein who amongst his many other talents is also a professional photographer. Should you see one of our images on another company’s site then it has been stolen from us and as many of these companies are overseas it is very difficult for us to invoke copyright legislation. Everything on this site is subject to the copyright of 'The Sutlers Stores' a fully owned subsidiary of Westhill Studios Ltd.

A Cautionary Tale:
A customer recently sent us the web address of another supplier on the other side of the world, who had not only copied our images but also our descriptions, word for word. The customer thought that because the product pictures and description were the same and because the rival site was cheaper than us, that we must be buying our uniforms from them! So thinking that he would save some money by ‘cutting out the middle man’, he ordered from this rival company.

Many months later, after no contact whatsoever from this company he eventually received a pathetic imitation of the uniform which was easily 3 sizes too big for him! The supplier didn't have any method by which he could return it either! Additionally, by the time duty, shipping and other taxes were added the price was not much different to ours. When he placed his order with us he brought it in to show us, the uniform was unauthentic, ill fitting and unwearable. 

In conclusion all we shall say this; if they don’t have the confidence to show you their own products, it is highly unlikely that they will be any good!

The Future:
In an effort to protect the integrity of our products and to help customers from being conned we will over the next few weeks be changing the web pages to make it impossible for images and text to be copied from the site. to help the many re-enactment groups that find it helpful to use our images and descriptions for producing ‘kit lists’ for new members, we will happily provide images and descriptions for you on request.

We hope you enjoy the site and if we can be of any help please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Opening Hours (New for 2009/10) Click Here for more information

Open for telephone enquiries: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 4pm

Open for internet sales: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Orders will be processed between 10am – 6pm

Open for emails: 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Enquiries will be dealt with, within 3 -5 working days – wherever possible.

Sundays and UK Bank Holidays - CLOSED or exhibiting at events, please call for event details.

Tel: 01202 711660

The Sutlers Stores.
35 The Wessex Trade Centre,
Old Wareham Road,
Parkstone,
Poole.
Dorset.
BH12 3PG.

To obtain directions to the new premises via googlemap CLICK HERE